AshMap
Overview
There is a certain breed of cigar that does not announce itself. It arrives in pale golden silence, its Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper smooth as vellum, and it asks only that you slow down enough to listen. The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo is precisely such a cigar — a quiet masterpiece from a house that has never needed to shout. In an era where blenders chase ever-higher octane, this torpedo stands as a reminder that restraint, executed with absolute precision, is its own form of rebellion. It is the cigar equivalent of a perfectly tuned acoustic guitar in a room full of amplifiers.
The pre-light ritual sets the tone: the tapered head feels almost ceremonial between the fingers, and the cold draw offers sweet hay, a whisper of almond paste, and that distinctive creamy note that only the finest Connecticut shade can deliver. The moment the foot catches, the narrative begins — not with a bang, but with a refined exhalation of soft white pepper that dances on the retrohale before settling into toasted almonds and a fresh, almost dairy-like creaminess. There is a floral undertone here, delicate as white tea steeping in a porcelain cup, that weaves through the opening third with remarkable persistence. The ash builds in a firm, pale column, and the draw offers just enough resistance to make you work for each note, rewarding attention with every pull.
As the torpedo burns past its midpoint, the blend's Dominican soul begins to assert itself. The white pepper fades into memory, replaced by a gentle earthiness that grounds the experience. Cedar emerges — not the aggressive, raw lumber of younger cigars, but the polished, aromatic wood of an old cigar box. A subtle hay character develops alongside a creamy cashew richness that coats the palate. The finish, which had been clean and short, now extends with a whisper of vanilla that lingers just long enough to remind you it was there. This is the section where lesser cigars would falter, where the complexity would collapse into monotony; here, it simply deepens, each note finding its place in the ensemble.
The final act is where the Grand Cru No. 2 proves its pedigree. The tapered head, which some might dismiss as mere aesthetics, concentrates the smoke beautifully as the cigar narrows. Toasted bread emerges, warm and comforting, joined by light espresso and a dried grass note that evokes a late-summer meadow. A mild sweetness — almost honeyed — settles on the palate as the cigar approaches its end, but there is no harshness, no bitter protest. The construction holds firm to the last inch, burning with razor-straight precision and producing an ash that refuses to crumble prematurely. It ends not with a flourish, but with a quiet, satisfying resolution — the way a great concerto concludes not with noise, but with resonance.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade — Natural |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Dominican Republic (Piloto Cubano and Olor Dominicano, aged minimum two years) |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $26–$32 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Filler tobaccos aged a minimum of two years; finished cigars rested prior to release per Davidoff protocol |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The opening is immediately refined — soft white pepper on the retrohale, toasted almonds, and fresh creaminess characteristic of Ecuadorian Connecticut. A delicate floral note, reminiscent of white tea, weaves through the early smoke. Construction sets itself up with an even, white ash and effortless draw.
Second Third
Complexity deepens through the middle as the torpedo begins to open. Cedar and subtle hay notes emerge alongside a creamy cashew character. The white pepper subsides, replaced by a gentle earthiness and a whisper of vanilla on the finish — the tobacco's Dominican roots asserting themselves gracefully.
Final Third
The final act delivers a satisfying but never harsh transition — toasted bread, light espresso, and dried grass converge. A mild sweetness lingers on the palate. The tapered head concentrates flavor beautifully in the final inches without any harshness or heat, a hallmark of quality construction.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Davidoff's quality control at Tabadom is industry-leading — the Grand Cru Torpedo burns with razor-straight precision, produces a firm white-to-light-grey ash that holds 1.5 to 2 inches reliably, and draws with an ideal open resistance that never fatigues the smoker.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Highland Scotch single malt — Dalmore 15 or Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban; alternatively a well-aged Cognac such as Rémy Martin VSOP or Hennessy XO to complement the cigar's creamy, delicate character without overpowering it
Wine
White Burgundy (Meursault or Puligny-Montrachet) or a lightly oaked Viognier from Condrieu; if red is preferred, a restrained Pinot Noir from Chambolle-Musigny
Non-Alcoholic
Single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over — its bright floral and citrus acidity mirrors the cigar's delicate wrapper notes beautifully; alternatively, a high-grade Chinese white tea such as Bai Hao Yinzhen
Who Should Smoke This?
You are a collector who has spent years chasing strength, who has a humidor full of peppery maduros and full-bodied monsters that demand your attention like needy children. It is a Thursday morning, and you have finally cleared your calendar. The coffee is Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, poured at precisely the right temperature. You want a cigar that will not compete with the quiet — one that will complement the morning light slanting through your study window rather than dominate it. You already appreciate the subtlety of a great Meursault, the way a well-aged Scotch reveals itself slowly. This torpedo is for you — for the moment when you want to taste, truly taste, what Dominican tobacco and Ecuadorian Connecticut can achieve when handled by masters. It will not overwhelm you; it will invite you in, rewarding every moment you give it with layers you did not expect from something so mild.
Bottom Line
The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo is a masterclass in restraint — proof that elegance and complexity need not announce themselves with force. It is the cigar you reach for when you want to remember why you started collecting in the first place.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Davidoff Grand Cru cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo a strong cigar?
No. It is rated Mild-Medium (2/5 on the strength scale). Physically, this means the nicotine delivery is gentle — you will not feel a head rush or experience any harshness on the throat. The strength is present enough to provide a satisfying body, but it will never overpower your palate or demand your full attention to manage its effects.
What does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo taste like?
The flavor progression moves from soft white pepper, toasted almonds, fresh cream, and white tea in the first third, to cedar, hay, creamy cashew, and a whisper of vanilla in the second third. The final third delivers toasted bread, light espresso, dried grass, and a mild honeyed sweetness that lingers on the finish.
How long does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo vitola and 6.0 x 52 dimensions, you should expect a smoking time of approximately 45 to 60 minutes. The tapered head slows the burn slightly in the final inches, extending the experience without any loss of flavor integrity.
What is the best pairing for Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo?
A single-origin Ethiopian Yirgacheffe pour-over coffee is the ideal companion — its bright floral and citrus acidity mirrors the cigar's delicate white tea and almond notes beautifully. For something stronger, a Dalmore 15 aged Highland single malt Scotch complements the creamy cashew character without overwhelming the blend's subtlety.
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo good for beginners?
The strength is approachable at Mild-Medium, but the $26–$32 per cigar price point makes it a significant investment for someone still developing their palate. It is better suited for a newer smoker who has already tried a few Connecticut-wrapped cigars and wants to experience what the category can achieve at its highest level — not for someone who is still learning to retrohale or identify individual flavor notes.
Where can I buy Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo?
This is a prestige-tier cigar, so you will find it at authorized Davidoff retailers, high-end brick-and-mortar cigar lounges, and premium online cigar merchants that carry the Davidoff brand. Given its price point, it is less commonly stocked at discount retailers — you should seek out a specialist tobacconist or the official Davidoff online store.
What is the price of Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo?
The Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo retails for $26 to $32 per cigar. This places it firmly in the prestige tier, reflecting the aged Dominican fillers, Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, and the hand-rolling precision at Davidoff's Tabadom factory.
Is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo worth aging?
Yes, but with measured expectations. The filler tobaccos are already aged a minimum of two years, and the finished cigars are rested before release, so the blend arrives in a state of harmony. Additional aging of 2–4 years will soften the white pepper further and allow the creaminess to deepen into a more pronounced vanilla character. However, the Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper is delicate — beyond 5 years, you risk losing the bright floral notes that make this cigar distinctive.
What wrapper does Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo use?
It uses an Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade wrapper — a pale golden tan leaf with a silky smooth texture and minimal veining. This wrapper is the primary source of the cigar's signature creaminess, toasted almond character, and delicate floral notes. It is grown under shade tents in Ecuador, which produces a thinner, more elegant leaf than sun-grown Connecticut tobacco.
Where is Davidoff Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo made?
It is hand-rolled at Davidoff's Tabadom factory in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This is the same facility where all Davidoff cigars are produced, and it is known for industry-leading quality control — which is why the Grand Cru No. 2 Torpedo burns with such razor-straight precision and draws with ideal resistance.